Saints Cyril and Methodius

Have you heard the story of the seven paratroopers who sought refuge within these walls? The Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius stands tall, a testament to faith and resilience, hidden within a quiet corner of Prague. It might seem ordinary, but underneath its solid facade lies a captivating story. The church was built in the 1730s, a blend of neo-Romanesque style with golden sandstone, a symbol of the enduring influence of these saints upon the Czech people. It was dedicated to Cyril and Methodius, two Byzantine missionaries who spread Christianity to Bohemia and Moravia centuries before. Their mission was not easy, they faced defiance from those who wanted to keep the Slavic people under the German influence, and their legacy remains a source of cultural pride for the Czechs. But the church’s most pivotal moment came during World War II. This is where the story of the paratroopers begins. Seven soldiers, trained by the British, parachuted into Czechoslovakia to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich, the brutal Nazi governor. Their mission was Operation Anthropoid, a daring act of resistance. Their plan succeeded, but Heydrich was no easy target. After a fierce struggle, Heydrich was fatally wounded, but the paratroopers had to flee. They found sanctuary in the very crypt of the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius, seeking refuge from Nazi forces that ruthlessly pursued them. The crypt became their final hiding place, a poignant symbol of bravery against a brutal regime. This is where their last stand took place, where they fought till their last breath.